Hunter: VII Knights MC Page 2

  My mouth is on hers when she gasps, taking in my breath, with lids fluttering. I meet her cerulean gaze and carefully lie her head in my lap. I silently watch as she gasps for air, her hands clutch at her throat, and the sight makes my chest ache.

  “Breathe. Try not to panic,” I offer calmly, not sure what else to do for her.

  Was she poisoned?

  “Fuck,” Briar curses savagely beside me a beat later and digs into his cargo pocket. He thrusts something at me. “Here, use this. I think it’s an allergic reaction. Her throat’s swollen, so she can’t breathe. The splotches are hives.”

  My brow scrunches, but I do as he directs. I stab the medication into her flesh, and it begins its magic. The woman clutches to me, never breaking my gaze as I watch life blossom inside her once more. She really was dying, and to witness life fill her once more is a miracle I’ll never forget as long as I live.

  “You’re okay,” I console. “We’re here, and I won’t let you die. Not in my arms,” I foolishly promise. I don’t have that power, but I vow it regardless.

  With a soft exhale, she murmurs, “My prince,” then she promptly passes out again. This time, she’s breathing and owning every piece of my soul.

  Chapter Two

  HUNTER

  “We have to get the fuck out of here.” I stand with the delicate woman in my arms and turn to Briar. “Who knows if someone tried to kill her. We have to take her with us.”

  “But what about the others? Viking?”

  “Viking has a plan, so they’ll be fine. I don’t know if anyone is still looking for this woman. I’m not taking the chance of us waiting around and anything else happening to her after she nearly died.”

  He nods, heading in the direction we came from. I follow behind, moving swiftly but carefully so as not to jolt the beauty in my arms. She’s exhausted, yet randomly flutters her lashes, so I know she’s still fighting whatever took her under before.

  Charmer and Diablo hear us approaching and meet us on the narrow path. Their eyes widen as they notice our newest addition. “We’re leaving,” I inform them without time for argument, and we hightail it to the Jeep. Charmer and Briar climb into the back seat, and I hand the woman over. They lay her across their laps, one hand securing her to them while the other is heavy with a Glock. There’s no telling what we may come across on our way out, so better safe than sorry.

  Diablo’s more alert as we reverse, watching everywhere while I concentrate on driving. It’s much too tight for me to turn around, so I can only back up, which doesn’t exactly work in our favor when we’re in a rush to get the fuck out of Dodge. Viking wasn’t kidding, this island is riddled with secrets, those of which I can only imagine the true depth of.

  “I’m taking her to my place. I can drop you guys off on my way there, but I want to get her to safety before anyone else is aware of her existence.”

  “What about the Jeep?” Charmer asks as the thick foliage lets up enough for me to swing the vehicle around and finally stop driving in reverse.

  I shift gears, briefly meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. My stare flicks down to take the woman in, and I reply, “I’ll call Malevolent and let him know what happened. He’ll take care of it.”

  “Sounds like a plan, brother,” Diablo reassures. This is one of the reasons why I ride with these guys—they always have my back with whatever the issue may be. “Has she said anything? Or are we kidnapping a sleeping woman? This has jail time written all over it.”

  “Nothing,” I grumble and pick up speed as we close in on the road leading back to the mainland. I ignore his jail-time comment because I won’t allow it to get that far, that much I know for sure.

  Briar snorts, knowing what went down back there. “She called him her prince.” I catch his suggestive tone, attempting to rile me as my brothers chuckle. I have no doubt in my mind that if we weren’t on alert right now, they’d be giving me a truckload of shit about being a dark prince in disguise.

  “A smart-ass biker prince who hunts people down for a living, more like it,” Charmer adds, causing the guys to laugh more. I hope she’s not hearing any of this. I’m not ashamed of my best friends or anything, I am only worried it’d embarrass her, and the last thing I want is for her to be uncomfortable while knocking on death’s door.

  I obviously didn’t think this completely through, taking a random woman with me in the Jeep full of oversized, rough men. She may be terrified when she catches a good look at them, and I don’t want that. She needs to relax after whatever she just went through—anyone would after nearly dying.

  “What exactly are you planning to do with her?”

  I glance at Diablo and sigh. “I haven’t thought too far ahead. She was left for dead back there, and I wasn’t going to have that on my conscience. Once she’s had time to recuperate, I’ll get as much information from her as I can. We’ll go from there.”

  He huffs. “More trouble that doesn’t belong to you. Always the knight to go running.”

  My gaze falls to her in the rearview mirror again. I can’t seem to get my fill of checking to make sure she’s okay. I shrug. I’ve always had my nose in a bit of trouble, and it’s given me the opportunities to help countless people. “I’m a bounty hunter. It’s what I do.”

  “And I’m there with you, brother, but there’s no payday on this load. Just a broad destined to get you into a pile of shit. No telling how deep it’ll pile up in the end.”

  Charmer pipes up, “Ouch, that’s harsh.”

  Rather than replying, he quiets and stares out the window. He’s a broody fucker, always has been. He never shies away from giving me his opinion, but he’s never been one to fill the silence with words either. I appreciate the trait.

  Charmer, on the other hand, is his opposite. The brother always has a grin on his face and is known for the wake of ladies always chasing after him. They all want to be his Mrs. Right, but he’s yet to find the one he can’t live without. Someone will fill those shoes eventually, that much I’m sure of.

  Eventually, we make it to the docks where we’d traded our bikes for the Jeep. Malevolent is right where we left him, clad head to toe in black. He’s the biker version of the Grim Reaper with an inky mohawk styled sharp enough you’d swear it could cut, and the glare he wears along with it is enough to make any man pause.

  “You ugly fuckers are still breathing, so I take it everything went well?” he grumbles, making all of us smile except Diablo. He peeks his head over the back of the topless Jeep to get a decent look at the sleeping woman. “Who’s the secret stowaway?”

  “We’re straight,” I reply. “And we don’t know.”

  His brows kick up. “She doesn’t speak, either? What happened to this chick?”

  Briar shakes his head. “She talks, just been passed out. Hunter saved her life, gave her CPR and an EPI shot.”

  “No shit?” Malevolent’s gaze meets mine.

  I nod. “Giving her a chance to recuperate. Bet your ass once she’s awake, I’ll find out whatever I can.”

  “She’s hot, so, of course, he’d save her,” Charmer ribs, and I roll my eyes.

  “I’d have saved her whether she was hot or not.”

  “Yeah, but this is a bonus. Maybe she’ll want to repay you for helping her.” The guys laugh while I shake my head. I’d probably be joking too if I knew her back story and what she was about, but at the moment, I know absolutely nothing.

  “All right,” Malevolent grows serious again. “I’ve taken care of everything like you asked. Beast is sending one of his prospects to grab your bike, then your cut. Don’t shoot the guy if you notice someone random on your property… I know how you get with trespassers. He’ll ride your wheels to your place, switch out for the Jeep and drop it back off to your buddy.” He holds out a bank envelope full of twenties. “Stick this in the console. The prospect will fill up the tank, clean the Jeep, and keep the rest.”

  “Thanks, brother. I appreciate it.” I’m grateful for his help and the heads-up. He’s right, I don’t like people on my property unannounced and nosing around. It’s one of the reasons why I bought land next to a nature preserve and built my place on top of a mountain. Aside from the Nomads who I regularly work with on our bounty-hunting jobs and my other VII Knight MC brothers, civilians are usually smart enough to stay far away.

  I say my goodbyes to everyone, making sure I thank them again, and head home. There was no payout today, it was strictly goodwill toward Viking’s chapter. I’ll have to catch up with him eventually to find out what went down on his end, but for now, there’s only one thing on my mind. The sleeping woman in the back seat whose alluring beauty and secrets have my stomach twisting with unanswered questions

  I get home and pull the Jeep into the garage. I leave the woman in the Jeep while I go through my house and check everything over. Hunting after people tends to get you put on the top of their shit lists, and you never know when one of them may decide to pop up again for their perverted version of retaliation. I’ve been lucky so far in the aspect of them not finding me, but eventually, I’m sure that luck will run out. The home security alarm sensors haven’t gone off since I’ve been gone, so at least that’s a good sign.

  The house is still in the same shape as I left it. I’m generally a tidy guy. I prefer things to be organized, so my place is clean, and the spare room is ready for guests if needed. Not that I have many or frequent visitors. I pull the bed covers back and make my way out to the garage again.

  I’m anxious, which is unusual for me. I’m good about keeping a calm head, but not today, it would appear. I want her to wake up and tell me everything about herself. I need to know it all, right down to the tiniest detail. There’s something intriguing about her, and it’s not the pertinent detail o
f her nearly dying. I’ve seen numerous dead people in my lifetime—it’s a hazard of the job as well as being affiliated with the MC. I may have an easygoing nature, but I’m a Nomad. I’m not innocent by any means.

  Eager to touch her again, I slide my arms underneath her on the back seat. She’s small compared to me and lightweight. Lifting her, I pull her close to my chest, carrying her princess style. She stirs, mumbling in her sleep. The only sound coming from me is my breathing along with my thundering heartbeat pounding away in my chest. I swear it’s louder than usual, but I know that can’t be possible.

  What is it about this woman that makes me want to hold her longer than appropriate? Fighting against the instinct to keep her in my arms, I place her on the bed toward the middle. She’s not wearing any shoes, and her dress is torn and tattered from the brutality of being stuck on that unforgiving island.

  With quick steps, I dip into the master bedroom and riffle through my dresser for the smallest clothes I own. I return with a black VII Knights MC t-shirt, gray boxer shorts, and white tube socks. Random, but hopefully, it’ll be comfortable for her to sleep in.

  I give her shoulder a gentle shake until she mumbles again.

  “I’ve got you some clean clothes. Put them on and help yourself to the shower when you’re ready. No hurry, get as much rest as you need. I’ll grab you a glass of water too. You’re safe with me, beauty.”

  She looks like she’s been through hell. I hope she realizes nothing will happen to her here, and I’d never allow anyone near her. She must feel some sense of comfort with me to sleep soundlessly like she has. Unless her body’s so out of it, she simply can’t help it. Although she has a sweet and innocent exterior, I have a feeling this woman is fiercer than her appearance lets on. She’d have to be, to survive for who knows how long she was stuck out there.

  “Thank you,” she eventually responds with a whisper and turns on her side, facing away from me. Rather than rouse her again, I leave it for now. She’s yet to fully open her eyes since I saved her, and I’m probably prolonging her recovery by bothering her.

  It was a busy day, and I’m exhausted too. I leave her door open and the guest bathroom light on in case she needs it, then reactivate my house alarm. There’s no way she’s leaving or anyone showing up for her without me knowing. I still need to download the Jeep and park it in the driveway for whoever Beast’s sending to collect it.

  Rather than take care of the vehicle immediately, I head for my shower, needing to wash the grime and salty air of the trip off me. Once I’m feeling fresh, I cook a few grilled cheese sandwiches and some tomato soup. I make some extra in case my guest wakes up, but she never does. I swear the silence in the air seems so much louder than usual, knowing she’s only down the hall from me.

  I pop in to check on her while I’m unloading my various weapons and supplies, but she doesn’t stir. It’s almost eerie how soundly she slumbers after who knows what she’s gone through.

  I leave the Jeep in the driveway and reactivate my house alarm. With nothing else to do, I head to my bed, but sleep’s the last thing on my mind.

  Chapter Three

  AURA

  Waking up and feeling groggy and disoriented, my body aches, my throat is sore and raw, and I feel like a big chunk of time is missing. Peeling my eyes open, I slowly take in my surroundings, and I know without a doubt in my mind I’ve never been here before. But everything is fuzzy when I try to remember where I came from or where the place should be—it’s like the answers are there, but I just can’t access them.

  Sitting up, I exhale a deep breath and take in my clothes. They’re torn and tattered, but something about them seems familiar—I don’t know if it’s the color or the garments themselves. My fingers lightly slide over the rough material. There’re tiny knots all over it, and I finger them fondly, wishing I knew the story behind them. There’s more folded at the end of the bed, and I vaguely remember being instructed to put them on. I ignore the instinct that it’s what I’m supposed to do and leave the comfort of the bed.

  Nothing in the room reminds me of anything, but something tells me it’s not mine. The furnishings and decorations are sparse, leaving no clues. My heart thunders in my chest as I head for the door—anything could be waiting for me on the other side. Strangely, no sense of foreboding fills me, only curiosity and a bit of warmth. Outside my room, there’s a narrow hall with more doors. There’s a small room almost directly across from the one I was sleeping in—it has a large and small washing tub. Getting clean isn’t a priority for me at the moment but rather who the mysterious man was that filled my dreams.

  I can’t help but wonder was he merely a figment of my imagination, someone I dreamed up when I needed him, or was he truly the prince who came to save me? Memories assault me of a man and woman lying in a bed, one of them on either side of me, reading a book. I was young, yet it feels as if it was only yesterday when it happened. More memories laced with fondness assault me when I think of them, and it hits me—they’re my parents. This home is wrong, though, and everything seems so much bigger when I remember them.

  Quietly, on light feet, I head in the direction of the inviting aroma. My stomach rumbles loudly, and I clench at the area with my hand. When was the last time I ate? If the sharp hunger pangs in my gut are any indication, I’d say it’s been a while. It’s probably what woke me up in the first place. The closer I get to the smell, the worse my stomach hurts, but I’m too curious to search for food at the moment.

  I come across the kitchen first, the smell leading the way whether I want it to or not. A machine on the counter percolates dark liquid into a glass container. There’s a bowl of fruit laid out on one of the counters, making my hands fist from the overwhelming desire to take them all and hide them in my clothes. Food this perfect is rarely openly available. I don’t know why I know this, but I do. Not letting myself pause, I continue my exploration.

  I’m met with a large room filled with windows beyond the kitchen. Outside the house is a beautiful area full of trees and untamed wildlife for as far as the eye can see. There’s a long stretch of multi-colored roses and a small iron table with chairs surrounding it. Still nothing familiar, no matter how much I wish it were. It’s quiet, and something about the lack of sound brings me comfort rather than the opposite. My gaze remains locked on the soothing scenery as my mind races to come up with answers I don’t have.

  I remember being home, but where exactly is home? It’s certainly not here—this place doesn’t look anything like I’m used to. The trees are different, and the flowers and foliage aren’t the same. There were others—three women. I can see their faces and feel their warmth in my heart, but details aren’t very clear. They’re family but not in the same sense as my mother and father.

  Fitting these basic pieces together reminds me I haven’t seen my parents in a long time. I was a little girl, that much I know for sure. I live in the trees with these other women, but our home isn’t like this. The floor is dirt, and we had little to no belongings. We’ve learned to use nature for everything.

  So, it’s true, then—I’m far from home.

  After I stand there for who knows how long, I spin around and am met with the man from my dreams.

  HUNTER

  She’s startled. It’s the first thing I notice when my eyes meet hers. My mind races with something to say to put her at ease with my presence, but what do you say to someone who’s back from the brink of death? I go with the opposite of my usual questioning demeanor. “Well, hello there, snoozing beauty,” I greet in the friendliest tone I can manage. I have an abundance of questions, but I feel I won’t be the only one.

  She blushes, dipping her head in an attempt to hide her rosy cheeks in her cornflower-colored locks. She must’ve been warm while sleeping. The pink on them suits her, such a complimentary flush.